Resilient rim



E. w. CARLSON RESILIENT RIM K Filed April 27, 1925 2 lsheets-sheet 1 wai/9m@ RESLIENT am' Filed April 27: l

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4! 5220' 2% Carisa Patented Dec. 29, 1925.

UNITED STATES iremos ENO W. CARLSON, 0F OSCEOLA, IOWA.

RESILIENT RIM.

Application sied Aprii 27, 1925. seriai No. 26,058.

T0 all whom t may concern: Y

Be it known that I, ENO W. CARLSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Osceola, in the county of Clarke and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Resilient Rim, of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a resilient rim of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

More particularly, it is my purpose to provide a resilient rim, which will have great wearing qualities while giving a proper cushioning effect.

Vith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement aiid combination of the various parts of -my resilient rim, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a rim embodying my invention installed on a wlieel,`parts being broken away and parts being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 01": Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmental, plan view, partly in section, of the rim as viewed from the outside.

Figure 6 is a detailed, sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a plan of one of the laminated plates of the rim.

Figure 8 is a plan of another of said laminated plates; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 4.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally the hub and the numeral 11 to indicate the spokes of a wheel, having my improved resilient rim assembled thereon.

It may be said at this point that the method of mounting the rim on the wheel may vary considerably and the particular method shown here is simply for the purpose of illustrating one manner of mounting the rim on the wheel.

My improved resilient rim comprises an annular rim member 12, having the form of an outwardly opening channel provided at its side edges with the flanges 13, each of which is formed with a deep, annular groove 14.

In the particular form of the invention here illustrated, there is placed on the under or inner side of the rim 12 between each successive pair of spokes a plate 15 at the ends oit which are forme-d halves of sockets 16 for the spokes.

Each plate has at its middle an inwardly extending sleeve 17. Extending through the sleeve 17 and the plate 15 is an angular opening 18. 4

Extending inwardly from each plate 15 outside and spaced from the sleeve 17 is a sleeve 1.9. The rim 12 has an opening 2O registering with each opening 18. l

There is a rigid post 21 preferably angular in cross section, projecting through the openings 20 and 18 of the rim 12 and plates 15, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 in both directions from the rim.

On each post 21 is a larger spring guide post 22 through which the post 21 is slidably extended.

Each spring guide 22 has mounted thereon a heavy coil spring 23. Near the outer end or' each post 21 is a cup 24 to receive the outer end of the spring 23.

Supported on the post 21 outside the cups 24 is a laminated rim comprising sections, which will now be described.

On each alternate post 21 adjacent to the cup 24 is a plate or strip 25, illustrated for instance in Figure 7, having an angular hole 26 receiving the post 21 and having at its ends angular notches 27 to receive approximately half the posts on opposite sides of the post 21 on which the plate 25 is mounted.

The plates 25 are arranged in a series circum''erentially of the rim in such manner that there is play between them as indicated at A in Figure 2.

@verlying the inner plates 25 are similar plates 25 so arranged as to break oints with the inner plates 25. Gverlying the outer plates 25 are plates 28, each of which has an angular opening 29 co'untersunk as at 30 around its edges.

One of the plates 28 vis mounted on each lpost 21 with the head 30a of the post fitted into the countersink as shown for instance in Figure 3. The head 30a has a screw driver slot 31.

The plates 23 extend midway from the post 2l on which they are mounted toward the next posts on each side and are provided at their respective ends with tongues and notches 32 and in coacting succession. rl`he plates 25 are provided on their inner sides or surfaces with ribs 34 extending circumferentially of the rim and on their outer sides or surfaces with corresponding grooves 3F? (See Figure 3.)

rlfhe rib 34 of each ini'ier plate 25 is received in a suitable groove in the cup 24. the groove being indicated at 36 in Figure 3. The rib of the plate 25 between the inner plate 25 and the plate 23 is received in the groove in the inner plate The plates 23 have similar ribs 37 on their inner surfaces received in the groove 35 of the intermediate plates 25.

'lhere is play between the successive plates 23 as well aas between the successive plates 25 of each lamination.

Arranged outside the plates'23 is a continuous sectional chain 33 comprising successive links pivoted together as illustrated in Figure 4. rlhe links of the chain 33 have ribs 39 received in the grooves or slots 3l and in suitable grooves 40 (see Figures 3 and 4) in the plates 28.

Rubber cross blocks 41 are set into pockets 42 in the outer surfaces of the links of the chain 38.

It will be understood that the links 38 are pivotally connected by cross pins 43.

Projecting radially inwardly from the outer' ends of the links 38 are strips 44 of leather or the like, which at their side edges overlap each other in beveled relationship as shown at 45 in Figure 5. The leather strips project slidingly into the channels 14.

rlhe inner ends of the posts 21 are screwthreaded as at 46. @n these screw-threaded ends are placed cups 47 receiving the sleeves 19, as shown in Figure Received between the sleeves 17 and 19 and the cups 47 are small coil springs 48. The cup 47 serves as a dust cap and is held in place by a nut 49 on the screw-threaded portion 46.

in the practical operation of this rim, it will be seen that when the wheel equipped with the rim stands on the ground., and the load is imposed, the lower portion of the rim will be moved toward the hub. As the wheel revolves and each successive section of springs is relieved of the load, after passing the Yowermost position, such section of springs will immediately relax and be in position to again receive the load upon further rotation.

in order that the posts 2l may not prevent the movement of the rim for instance at X-X in Figure l upwardly when the load is imposed, it will be noted that the laminated form of the plates 25 and 28 is so arranged with play between their successive ends as to permit such movement.

i wheel of this kind lind l can make at a reasonable expense. Such a wheel is, of course, free from the likelihood of being` pnnctured. rim cut or injured in other ways that destroy the eiiicacy of pneumatic tires.

lt is very durable and repairs can be readily made for replacing parts that might become worn or broken.

The tension of t-he springs 23 may be regulated by adjusting the nut 49. This serves to limit the expansion of the springs 23 by the dust cap 47 striking the sleeve 17. When the rim is used for carrying light loads, the nut 49 may be partly unscrewed thereby lessening the tension of the spring 23. For heavy loads, the nut 49 is screwed farther onto the post 2l. The rim will give max-s imum service when loaded to its approximate capacity.

ln case,.the wheel should be overloaded, the spring guide 22 will rest on the cup 24, and the wheel will ride without resiliency, but no parts can become broken due to the overload.

For convenience in describing the parts of my resilient rim, I have in my claims called the annular rim member 12 a felloe.

Some changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of the various parts of my resilient rim, without departing from the essential features and purposes of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

l claim as my invention:

l. ln a resilient rim, a felloe. a series of posts slidably mounted therein in circumferentially spaced relation, a laminated rim structure mounted on the outer ends of said posts comprising' a plurality of layersof plates so arranged as to break ioints between the successive layers, each plate being mounted on one post, the plates of each layer being arranged to permit play, springs interposed between the felloe and t-he laminated rim structure, and a flexible chain mounted on said rim.

2. ln a resilient rim, a felloe, a series of posts slidably mounted therein in circumferentially spaced relation, a laminated rim structure mounted on the outer ends of said posts comprising a plurality of layers of plates so arranged as to break ioints between the successive layers, each plate being mounted on one post, the plates of each layer being arranged to permit play, springs interposed between the felloe and the laminated rim structure, the plates of the successive layers having coacting parts for preventing their lateral displacement` and a flexible chain mounted on said rim.

3. In a resilient rim, a. felloe, a rim structure spaced therefrom, comprising' relatively short laminated plates, springs interposed between the said'felloe and said rim structure. and a flexible non-stretchable member sur rounding the rim structure.

Ll. In a resilient rim, a felloe, a rim strueture spaced therefrom, comprising relatively short laminated plates, springs interposed between the said felloe and said rim strueture, and a flexible non-stretoliable member surrounding the rim structure, said plates beingr arranged in layers with broken joints, the plates of each layer being arranged to allow play between them, said felloe and said flexible member having coaeting parts to protect the rim structure and springs and 20 

